Single action help

F

Fireman179

New member
I'm looking for suggestions on a quality single action. I looking for a 4 3/4 or a 5 inch barrel. I also want blued finish and wood grips. Caliber wise looking for .357.
 
Anothr +1 for Ruger SA's unless trying to replicate the "exact" look and feel of the Colt SAA. I've got and enjoy both varieties immensely, but functionally it doesn't get any better than the Rugers. The .357 really does not need the larger Ruger ".44 Mag-class" frame of the regular non flattop Blackhawk. I'd look for a 50th Anniversary .357 Flattop or, same basic "mid frame," New Vaquero.
All that said, because of the larger-framed BH's aluminum gripframe and ejector housing, a 4-5/8" "regular" (large) Blackhawk is a pretty packable piece.

In either frame, I'd limit it to 4-5/8" (or shorter such as the 3.75" New Vaquero Montado), as those small-ish caliber holes make for a lot of left over metal and, ultimately, bit of nose heaviness and extra/unneeded weight on the hip if used a lot as a walk-about gun.
 
I'd recommend one of the Flat Top Rugers...the most current rendition, the 50th Anniversary Model, is still available for around $400. It's a sweet shooting gun, tho you may have to swap grips or order a pair from a good maker if you're looking for walnut. Here's a pic of one of my .44 Spl Flat Top Rugers with some home grown walnut stocks. The new flat tops have an all steel frame and balance better in my hand than the aluminum framed BH's...but to each his own. The one in the pic has a 5-1/2" barrel. Best Regards, Rod

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+1 for the Ruger, lots of choices, Old Model or new Model, Flattop, old or new Model Vaqueros.............and alot of the time at reasonable prices! Coogs.
 
Fireman179, I would imagine since your only interested in a .357 then authenticity isn't a concern to you. When you say it's quality that's important to you then you can be talking higher cost, but you don't express any amount. High quality is the way to go where future investment is important.

I collect among other things the Colt SAA's that are only 1st generations, or second, but I'm sure they wouldn't be what you're looking for. I did make one exception a number of years back and bought my only SAA copy, which was a Cimarron Bisley Flat Top Target, with 7 1/2" barrel in 44-40. This gun is no longer available in the target version. The cost for an original was more than I wanted to spend. Honestly, this gun shoots, feels, looks and is every bit as accurate as any original one that I've been around and better made than the recent Colt line, which I hate to say.

I never owned any Ruger, but they are strong dependable guns. I've shot some and can say their feel and 3 clicks as opposed to a Colt's 4 doesn't do it for me. I've read that an additional hammer notch can be done. If high quality Rugers interest you, then check out www.reedercustomguns.com and prepare to be impressed. I've kept my eye on them for years and have been considering one of them, if my wife ain't watching the savings account. I'd post some pictures of a couple of mine, but gave up trying to use the url, but will send thru an email. Best of luck to you.
 
I'm looking for suggestions on a quality single action. I looking for a 4 3/4 or a 5 inch barrel. I also want blued finish and wood grips. Caliber wise looking for .357.
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I to wanted the samething as you and bought the 50th Anniversary 357 Blackhawk when it first came out in 2005. While this gun was a fine gun in it's self as it came and a good shooter I was looking for something just a bit nicer and a little unquie. I sent my gun to Hamilton Bowen at Bowen Classic Arms. I ordered his Classic Western Conversion along with the Deluxe Tune Upgrade. He also recontuored my front sight and hand lapped my barrel. I've never 2nd guessed spending the extra money on the gun as it's one of the nicest guns I've ever owned or shot.

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Rep1954, what you did is what seperates the men from the boys. Your investment proves how someone can take something run of the mill and make it stand out in the crowd. I'm sure it works as good as it looks.
 
The Cimarron and the Vaquero are more what I'm looking for. I find the sights on the Blackhawk unattractive. What's the quality like on the Vaquero or the Uberti replicas?
 
Looks like target sights are out for you. I'm sure the Ruger Vaquero are of high quality at it's price range. The custom Ruger shown has a specific purpose and those are quality sights for that purpose. It reminds me of the Colt New Frontier. The Vaquero's are very popular with the SASS members, though I've never owned Rugers, they do have an excellent reputation. I can only let you know my experience with the Cimarron.

I prefer those guns that attempt to copy, as close as possible, the original SA's that were made by Colt and S&W. Those Cimarrons have a vast selection of styles to chose from. The Cimarron and Uberti are hatched from the same egg and have been making these guns a long time and have them perfected. Check out their websites and see what's being offered as well as their list price. Others on this forum are much more qualified than I am to talk about the Vaquero. There are others who will also express their opinions and take their's into consideration as well.

Depending on what you prefer regarding authenticity it's six of one and half a dozen of the other. They're both excellent guns that anyone into SA's would be more than happy to own. It's smart of you asking for opinions before buying anything. I'm sure you'll be happy with any decision you make.
 
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I also bought one of the new Ruger Blackhawks in .357 and traded it in shortly thereafter. The reason is simply that it is too darned heavy. The original BH had an alloy grip which helped reduce the weight quite a bit but the steel grip piece of the new BH made the gun plain cumbersome, at least for me. The original Colt was designed for .45 and the weight isn't bad in .38-40 and .44-40, but I once handled and fired a original SAA in .22 that had to be about the heaviest gun I have ever tried to use. Only the big old Dragoons are worse.

Jim
 
I understand what your saying about the weight of the Black Hawk. My uncle many years ago had one, but used a brass trigger guard and backstrap as opposed to the steel.

I understand what your also saying about the Colt. I have a Colt Bisley mfg in 1906 that was factory converted to a SAA and is the only example I can find. Damn it. I got a picture, but can only send thru an email. Anyway, it's a 32-20 and being it was their smallest calibre is heavy compared to the other calibres, but it makes shooting a pleasure. It can't be helped if it has more steel in the cylinder and barrel. That gun is fine in .357, or 38 special and so should any type SA. I used to love to shoot my friends pre war Colt SAA in 38 with a 7 1'2" and it was terrific.
 
James K, was that .22 Colt you shot a ruger single six, or model P, cause I never seen a .22 in the large frame? Only the colt frontier scout. When I read your post I thought you were referring to the 32. A winchester '73 in .22 I've seen and they're fairly rare, but I never saw a SA in .22, unless you're possibly referring to another manufacturer.
 
Fireman179, While with your selection of two brands of fixed sight single action revolvers and the selection of a non traditional caliber and since you mention only that it is the looks of a fixed sight model and not a traditonal 3 click action that you are interested in I would pick the Ruger New Vaquero in either of the barrel lengths or grip frames it is offered in, not to mention blued or stainless versions. For me the New Vaquero is a much better buy for the money all the way around, and it's made in the good old U.S.A.. Being an owner and shooter of several Colt SAA revolvers I enjoy the looks of the clean lines of the fixed sight models very much myself and respect thier history and design intent as a combat and defense revolver.
 
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I love the clean lines of the fixed sights and I am looking at .357 because of ammo cost, I don't reload. The only Ruger I own is a Red Label 28ga, I new to single actions.
 
gunsmokeTPF said:
James K, was that .22 Colt you shot a ruger single six, or model P, cause I never seen a .22 in the large frame? Only the colt frontier scout. When I read your post I thought you were referring to the 32. A winchester '73 in .22 I've seen and they're fairly rare, but I never saw a SA in .22, unless you're possibly referring to another manufacturer.
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One of the Italian clone makers offers a .22LR in a full-size SAA package. I don't recall which company, possibly Pietta? I've seen it discussed recently, but I don't recall if it was here or on Rimfire Central. I'm looking for one, just "because."

Fireman179 said:
I love the clean lines of the fixed sights and I am looking at .357 because of ammo cost, I don't reload. The only Ruger I own is a Red Label 28ga, I new to single actions.
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I like the original SAA lines, too, but if I were buying a new revolver in .357 Magnum for carry purposes, I would get the adjustable sights so I could dial in the sights to work with whatever ammo I chose. Remember, when the SAA was designed, it was designed to use ONE cartridge loading. They didn't have the wide range of bullet weights and velocities we can choose from today.
 
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